Niecey's Notebook

I Made It 1 Week!

2009-01-08T11:36:00.004-05:00

(I just like these frogs, lol)

I must say, I am pretty darn proud of myself for not smoking for one week. It sure wasn't easy but I managed. Although, it seems this time it isn't nearly as frustrating as last time. I did good with the urges. I didn't get a lot of them but when I did they came on strong. Like I had a little voice in my head that kept saying "Go ahead, smoke just one...". Those usually came when I was at work. It's all good though, I get one little sniff of a smoker and I remember that I used to smell like that and my urge goes away. Makes me want to hurl, lol. Not to mention the amount of money I'll be saving, it's sick!

#393 - Things I Love... Goddess Pendant

2009-01-08T00:36:00.005-05:00

Pic from HERE

I have this pendant (sterling silver) except it has turquoise in it instead of moonstone. It was given to me by my boyfriends mother a few years ago. She brought it back for me from Arizona. I love it! Every single time I wear it to work, I get a compliments on it. They always ask what it symbolizes and where I got it. One person even said it looked like some sculpture in Chicago. I never knew what it symbolized until tonight. It symbolizes a Goddess drawing down the moon, symbolizing power and wisdom. A lot of these pendants are made with moonstone, like the one above. Mine has turquoise and I always thought it looked like a woman holding the world in her hands. Either way, I think it's pretty awesome. :) I was too lazy tonight to take a picture of mine because I am wearing it. lol I will share a pic of mine soon! :)

No More Smoking...

2009-01-02T23:51:00.003-05:00

I am happy to announce that I have given up smoking! That was my New Year Resolution. :) Now, I have tried to quit a few times before and unfortunately have failed but this time I KNOW is the time. Everyone always told me that I wouldn't be able to quit unless I was ready and they were right.
This time just feels different. Better, much better. I'm not sure what it is but I think this was the time and I feel really good about my decision. I know I am only on day 2 but I know that this is it for me and I am really happy with my choice. Woohoo! Go me! I wouldn't be able to do it without the patch though. It really is a life saver!

Flea Market Finds...

2008-12-29T00:32:00.005-05:00

This weekend we decided to travel to the huge Flea Market about an hour away. I love this Flea Market but we haven't been in years.
I found these cool blown glass pendants for $2 a piece. :)

I also bought this Mortar & Pestle. I will probably never use it but I wanted it.
It think they are cool. LOL

We also got a lot of fresh, local produce for a great price. I also picked up a few more Lucky Bamboo plants because the one I had recently turned brown over night. It was weird. We spent a few hours walking around and just looking at stuff. It was fun. :)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T22:50:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!
I hope Santa was was very nice to all of you!

-Niecey

Another Karyn Quote

2008-12-22T11:26:00.002-05:00

Every morning Karyn comes in our bedroom and wakes me up. Yesterday morning this is what she says to me...

Karyn: "Mommy, time to get up!"

Me: "I am up!"

Karyn: "No, you have to get your whole body up or it doesn't count."

LOL! She's so awesome!

Wowee Alive Lion Cub...

2008-12-22T11:20:00.003-05:00

The one thing I knew FOR SURE Karyn wanted for Christmas was this Lion Cub. It was all she talked about since she saw the commercial. So we ordered it from Walmart and we picked it up the other day. I just opened the box last night and it is so cool. The mouth and eyes move and it meows and purrs. It is pretty cool. Our cats found it quite interesting as well. LOL Now we have something to torture the cats with! LOL They weren't so sure about it. LOL We put it away because our one cats looked like he was going to tear it a new one! LOL
I can't wait until she opens it! She is going to be so excited! :)

Santa's Naught List...

2008-12-09T23:40:00.003-05:00

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I really need to try and keep this thing updated! Things around here are going...ok. Things could be better and thing could be worse so I won't complain too much. lol Work is going good. Work is work, and again, things could be worse.
Speaking of work. I have a funny shoplifter story. Let me first state that we catch 2-3 shoplifters a week. Usually it's some bored teens stealing cheap cologne, some kind of alcoholic beverage, cigarettes or something as silly as candy. Well, last Sunday night we had an unusual thief come in. This was a nice, very well dressed man, maybe late 50's early 60's. Nice shirt & pants, tie, nice shoes. I believe this man was caught by accident. Well, it turns out he tried to steal multiple bottles of sexual lubrications and stimulating oils, a couple boxes of condoms and a couple of packages of batteries. I think there may have been something else but I can't remember. The excuse he gave the cops...He was having issues with his wife, in the bedroom, and bought some "toys" and was going to make her a gift basket to surprise her. He was from out of state too...Now, not for one minute do I believe his story. I just don't. I won't get into what I think this guy was going to do. This guy is definitely on Santa's naughty list.

Turkey Hands

2008-11-20T12:06:00.004-05:00

What's more fun than making Turkey hands? Well to my daughter nothing. lol She had a ton of fun making a Turkey Hand yesterday! We did crafts yesterday for what seemed like the entire day. She wanted to play outside but she said it was too cold for her. lol It was only 66 degrees. lol

I usually take a big sheet or blanket and lay it on the floor and we do craft stuff on there and if any little bits or glittery stuff falls I just pick it up and shake it outside.
She could sit and do this for days I swear.

Bah Humbug...The Holidays

2008-11-13T10:09:00.003-05:00

The Holidays are here. Whether I like it or not. Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away and I have yet to get the warm fuzzy feeling I usually get around this time of year. Usually by now I am begging the boyfriend to take the Christmas Tree out of the attic because I can't wait to get started with the decorating. I have always LOVED this time of year. I look forward to it every year. There is just something about the feeling I used to get just thinking about the holidays. This year, it's different. I haven't thought once about taking the tree out of the attic or putting on Christmas music or even the yummy taste of homemade food. What the hell is wrong with me? All these things made me giddy like a 5 year old girl who ran down the stairs on Christmas morning and saw that Santa had eaten the cookies and the reindeer had eating the carrots we had left out the night before. It's just so sad I say. So, in an effort to get my Holiday Spirit back I am going to listen to nothing but Christmas music and start breaking out those decorations. I am currently making snacks so I can watch Christmas Vacation & A Christmas Story today. I will get into the holiday spirit if it's the last thing I do. Now to get those decorations down from the attic...hmmmmm!

Our New Pet

2008-11-11T10:27:00.003-05:00

Lately, Karyn has been really into catching lizards, bugs & playing in dirt. Yesterday she found this fuzzy little thing climbing on a palm tree. When she found it she yelled out "It's big, juicy one!"...Real nice! lol She wanted to keep him so now we have him in a little box with leaves and sticks so that he can make a cocoon and turn into a beautiful butterfly or moth then we will let him go back into the wild. :)

Another Update...I think...

2008-11-04T15:26:00.002-05:00

Well, I haven't been updating like I used to. I just don't seem to have it in me anymore. I have lots of thoughts and ideas running through this tiny little brain of mine but I just can't seem to put any of them into motion. It's all very tiring believe it or not. It's like I have so much to talk about that can't be put into words. Then again for those who know me, I have never been one to talk about feelings. I just keep things all bottled up until one day I explode. I have so much to say but unfortunately I just can't.
Things at home are well...as you may have guessed, not so great. That haven't been for a long time or if ever. I ask myself everyday how the hell I got myself here. It certainly did not happen over night. I am unhappy, miserable and just plain over it all. I have been. I'm sick of being treated the way I have been treated. I'm sick of being talked to like I am an idiot. I'm sick of not being able to make the littlest of decisions with out "checking in" first. I get no respect and am completely unappreciated. I am not looking for sympathy because I am the only one who can fix it. For those of you who are saying "just leave", it's easier said than done.
Work is going...good. I can't complain I guess. I look at work as an escape from the daily bull shit yet work as become part of my daily bull shit. It's all good though...I think. It's still not as bad as sitting home at night.

2008-10-31T23:56:00.003-04:00

Well Happy Halloween everyone! Hope everyone had fun trick-or-treating with the kiddo's. We sure did! Kathy & Tim came over with the boys so we could go together in our neighborhood. It was such a nice night too. Not too hot and not too cold but let me tell you I will feel it tomorrow.

Karyn loved being a lady bug. Can you believe I could not find antenna for her? I couldn't even find stuff to make them for her! What a bunch-o-crap I say! lol

Enter This Contest Over @ Frugal Mom...

2008-10-20T09:35:00.002-04:00

**CONTEST ALERT**

Hey everyone, Go check out Frugal Mom Blog before Midnight October 20th and check out this awesome contest she's having! She's giving away a $50 Gift card to WalMart and a cool retro Apron from Tallulah Sophie’s.

So head on over there and check out what you need to do to enter! :)

Contests!

2008-10-17T10:57:00.002-04:00

Win a trip to Peanut's The Great Pumpkin Patch! ~Enter Daily
ENTER HERE

Enter to Win the Product of the Day from HGTV. ~Enter Daily
ENTER HERE

An Update of Sorts...

2008-10-13T10:44:00.002-04:00

Wow, it feels like I haven't posted in a while so I guess I will do an update of sorts. Not a whole lot really going on though. Work is work. Not getting nearly as many hours as I would like but oh well. What can I do? Can't really go look for another job right now because it will be about the same anywhere else I go. Plus this is just a P/T job for now.
On to a little happier news...Remember the "evil one" I referred to in my other posts? Well, she screwed up enough to be let go. Now, let first start by saying that I wish for no one to lose their job, especially in times like this BUT, this woman was truly evil. She didn't have a nice bone in her body. I think she lived to belittle people. Like she got great pleasure in talking down to people. I don't think she ever did smile. Seriously, I think her face would have cracked if she had and I swear when she walked past the mirror at work she didn't have a reflection. There is such a sense of relief going to work now. :)
Karyn is doing good. She is really excited about her birthday and Christmas this year. That is of course because I had to pull out the big guns and use Santa Clause as a weapon. You see, Karyn REALLY wants a Wow Wee Alive Lion Cub. I mean REALLY. Every time she sees the commercial she asks me to call Santa and tell him that's what she wants for her birthday or Christmas. Personally, the thing creeps me out but Karyn is in love. LOL
She has finally stopped asking to put on her Halloween costume. lol She's going to be a lady bug. She's so excited! She thinks every night should be Halloween so we can go trick-or-treating. This is such a fun age....she is really starting to see the fun in things. Hopefully, this weekend we will be going to the Pumpkin Festival. Karyn is going to LOVE it! Although, I am not looking forward to the walking but that's ok because it's good exercise! ;)
I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I mean, I look forward to it every year but I think, hopefully my brother will be down this year. If he comes down this year I will be doing Thanksgiving here at my house which will be fun! I have only cooked Thanksgiving dinner once and it was like 3 years ago...I think. I did an AWESOME job if I do say so myself! LOL Everything came out perfectly!

One lonely Contest...

2008-10-09T09:38:00.001-04:00

Enter Everyday until October 31, 2008 to Win a Bedroom Makeover!
Enter Here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Santa is a Stalker...

2008-10-06T10:33:00.004-04:00

I would have never known I was doing something so bad. Soooooo the other day Karyn was being pretty rotten. By rotten I mean just a little disobedient monster. Something had invaded my daughters body and turned my usually lovely little princess into the devil. Time out after time out she was testing me to no end. I had to think of something that would straighten her up. So I thought for a second...Santa Claus....I could use Santa Claus as weapon.

Finally I decided to tell her that if she continued to be a bad girl Santa Claus would not visit her this year and he would skip our house and some other little girl who had been good would get her presents. Yeah, I know, I may be the meanest mom in the whole world but a Mom has to do what she has to do. lol She stopped...looked at me with a confused look and said..."But I am a good girl." I then decided to play some Christmas music. The song "Santa Claus is coming to Town" (Not sure if that's the real name of it.) came on and I told her to listen to the song.
"He sees you when your sleeping, He knows when your awake, He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake."
Yeah....I would love to meet the person who wrote that song.

All I wanted to do was make my daughter realize that Santa knows if she's been bad or good and if she wasn't good, she wouldn't get any presents for Christmas. Well, it started off with her thinking that she wouldn't get presents for her birthday because she realizes now, her birthday is close to Christmas, 9 days before actually. I explained that Mommy and Daddy give her presents for her birthday, not Santa Claus. Santa Claus brings presents for Christmas to good boys and girls. Phew' I got that one cleared up...I thought I was safe...WRONG. That night as I am getting her into bed, she asks me where Santa was. I told her he was at the North Pole with his elves making toys. She then says...

Karyn: "Is he watching me right now?"
Me: "He sure is!"
Karyn: "I'm scared. Where is he? Is he outside? Is he in my closet?"
Me: "Nope, he's at the North Pole. There's nothing to be scared of. Santa is a good guy."
Karyn: *in a scared tone* "But I don't want him to watch me sleep!"

Oh crap! What did I do? lol For the next hour I was reassuring her that Santa in fact was no where around our house and he was not peaking in he windows or hiding in her closet or under her bed or anywhere else in the house for that matter. I have no made my daughter believe that Santa was some sort of stalker who watched her. lol Oh brother! The next day she asked where Santa was and kept asking all kind of questions that I was blown away by. Finally, I convinced her that Santa doesn't watch her and that Mommy and Daddy call him every couple of days to tell him whether she has been a good girl or not. I can't believe I changed her thoughts on Santa. Well, I still think she has this thought that he is outside watching her all the time but she is slowly straying from that theory. *sigh* At least she's been a good girl! LOL Mostly. :)

That was a close one.

New Contest Over At Veggie Tables ~ This Dish Is Vegetarian

2008-09-24T09:45:00.000-04:00

VeggieTables - This Dish Is Vegetarian is hosting another contest! Woohoo! Let the fun begin.

Win a Melee Prize Pack! The winner will receive: Melee Devils & Angels album & Tote ($28.99 value)To enter this contest, please leave a comment on this post over at ThisDishIsVegetarian.com. In the comment, please tell us your favorite vegetable.
This contest is sponsered by One2One Network.

Don't forget to tell your friends!!!!

I'm a winner...

2008-09-24T09:31:00.003-04:00

I entered a contest over at aPARENTly Speaking to win this Dora movie and I won! Woohoo! My child has done nothing but talk about Dora and The Snow Princess ever since she saw the commercial for it. The snow princess this and the snow princess that. I think she is going to flip her lid when she sees this in the mail box! :)

#394 Things I Love ~ Collecting Sharks Teeth...

2008-09-23T07:39:00.001-04:00

I love collecting sharks teeth when I go to the beach. Here it is a very "touristy" thing to do but it's so much fun. I am not a real beach person but I go with my daughter because she would live in the water if we let her. :) This picture is just what we found yesterday.

We have TONS of these things.

The information below is from a local website....HERE.

Collecting prehistoric sharks teeth has been a favorite pastime of visitors and residents of the Venice area for years. They may be black, brown, or gray, depending on the minerals in the soil in which they have been buried. They range in size from one eighth inch to three inches, and on rare occasions more.

Sharks of all species continually shed their teeth and grow new ones. They have 40 or more teeth in each jaw. Behind the functional rows or teeth are seven other rows of teeth developing into mature dentures to replace teeth as they are shed or lost. In ten years, an average Tiger shark can produce as many as 24,000 teeth.

Besides sharks teeth, fossils of other marine creatures are also found in this area. Because millions of years ago most of Florida was under water, many fossils are found inland as well as on the beaches. State law prohibits digging without a permit however.

Identification of sharks teeth, which come in many different shapes and sizes, is relatively easy. All of the teeth in the mouth of a single type of shark are the same shape. They vary only in size. The shape of the teeth of each species is distinct. Local book stores offer many books on the subject.

For millions of years, sharks have lived and died in the Gulf of Mexico. Dead sharks sink to the ocean floor where they are covered by layers of sand and silt. Over time, the cartilage of their bodies disintegrates. Water and storm action eventually sweeps the sand away, exposing the teeth. Some are washed up on shore with the changing tides and waves.

The Fire...

2008-09-12T13:01:00.004-04:00

The other day when my sister came over, we were leaving to go to lunch and saw all this ash and smoke everywhere. Turns out it was a small brush fire dangerously close to someones house on the next street over. I surely thought some part of this guys house was going to get damaged but luckily it was saved. Even the screen on his pool cage was untouched! My sister took this picture with her phone.

And The Winners Are....

2008-09-12T10:32:00.004-04:00

The winners of the Precious Girls Club Book Contest are:

#1 Jen: You ROCK! My favorite book growing up was The Babysitter's Club, I had the whole series!

and

#2 Maria: I was so like Ramona as a child, I loved those books!! I am thrilled to see something that is so far from Barbie or Bratz, something I will be proud & happy to let my daughters get involved with. YEA!!!! It's about time!!!

I will be emailing the winners this morning and they will have 72 hours to give me their mailing addresses. If one fails to respond within that 72 hours, another winner will be picked.

Thank you all again for playing!

Look for more contests coming up!

Surprise! The Candle...

2008-09-11T10:29:00.003-04:00

I just couldn't throw the candle away. I think secretly I wanted to see how much it would warp. LOL This is what it looks like today. Isn't it fascinating? LOL

I think I am going to put something else underneath it just incase. lol

Grocery Store Etiquette

2008-09-09T08:44:00.003-04:00

Ok, I know that many do not need to be "schooled" when it comes it grocery store manners or etiquette BUT I have found that a lot of people have absolutely no concern for others or their feelings when in comes to shopping. I work in a grocery store and I see cases of complete rudeness and poor judgment. So as a courtesy to the people who do have manners while they are out doing their grocery shopping I would like to provide a Do's and Don'ts of Grocery Store etiquette.

Don't wear just a bathing suit to the grocery store. Believe it or not folks, I have seen this on more than one occasion. I do live in Florida but still that is a big no, no. And No, a bikini top with shorts is not acceptable either. Put a shirt on. I don't care how hot you are or think you are...it's not ok. We will all talk about you when you leave the store. Men, carrying a shirt into a store while you are shirt less is a really big no no. You're not hot so give it up. Shoes are also a must.

Do double check your cart to make sure you have everything. If you don't it's not ok to hold up other people in line while you continue shopping. Not only do you irritate the cashier, you irritate the customers too who in turn will irritate the cashier when you leave by bitching and complaining that we let you hold up the line. It's also not ok to allow others in your party to go get things that you forgot. This list includes but is not limited to: husbands, boyfriends, wives, girlfriends, children, aunts, uncles, grand children, grand parents, best friends, sisters, brothers, little brothers friend, fiancé or seeing eye dogs.

Don't ever talk on your cell phone while in the check out lane. Come ladies and gentleman have some manners. Really. This not only irritates the cashier when she is trying to ask you questions but the whole store doesn't need to know how you can't believe Sally didn't invite you to a party because someone started a rumor that you have crabs.

Do wait until the cashier is done with their current order before you interrupt to dispute something on your receipt. Nothing irritates a cashier more than when they have to stop and explain a price to you because you can't read the signs. If you weren't on your cell phone during your transaction, you would have caught that and it could have been taken care of then.

Don't allow your kids to jump around and destroy things. Yeah, I have a kid. She's almost 4. She also knows better than to run around the counter, rip bags off the shelf and throw them everywhere, climb up and stand in carts, scream on top of her lungs and get in other peoples way. Trust me, if I can teach my child how to act in public, so can you.

The biggest one yet...
Do make sure you have 10 items or less in the express lane. Ok people, No you are not special and no you can't come in the express lane with a full cart because the other lines are full. There are other people in the store that have one or two items and want to get in and out quickly. That's what the express lane is for. And don't give me that "Oh, I didn't realize it was an express lane." line. I saw you look up at the bright letters that read "EXPRESS: 10 Items Or Less" and look away like you can't read. You're not fooling anyone. You also have no right to get angry when we tell that it's an express lane and you must move to another line. Another big, huge no, no in the express lane...writing checks. Don't do it. This is 2008, use your debit card.

As I said earlier, this really is just a courtesy to the people that are polite and use consideration in the grocery store. If we treated each others how we would want to be treated, this world would be a better place. :) Go that extra step to place that order divider directly behind the last items you will be purchasing. If you're sick, stay home. No one wants you coughing up a lung into the hand that you are about to hand a cashier money with. Really, it's all just common sense people. Don't forget...a little "please" and "thank you" goes a loooooong way. :)

Halloween Costume

2008-09-08T16:51:00.005-04:00

I am so ahead of schedule it's awesome! I got Karyn's Halloween costume today. She most recently changed her mind and wants to be a ladybug for Halloween. Well, my sister came over today and said she was just at the store and saw a really cute ladybug costume. So we went to lunch and stopped by the store and I saw it and fell in love with it! It's soooooo cute!! It even comes with cute little red underwear type things. I doubt she'll wear them but they are still cute.
While there, I also saw some super cute shoes marked down. I will wear them to work but they are sooooo comfy. Original price $29.99 and I paid $9.00. Can't beat that! :)

While we were leaving to go to lunch, Kathy noticed black ash and smoke. Luckily, it was only a brush fire but it was way to close to one house. Thankfully, they got it out it time.Kathy took the picture of that with her cell phone. I'll have to post that later. lol

Ricky...

2008-09-06T00:22:00.002-04:00

A little birdy told me (Kathy) that my cousin Ricky was visiting my blog! Yay! :) I checked my trusty Stat Counter and sure enough, he is! I don't think I have talked to him since I was little. It has been a long, long time that's for sure. So, Ricky, if you are reading this shoot me an email! I'd love to catch up with you guys and see how you're doing. NieceyFitz @ Gmail . com (take out the spaces.)

Enter To Win: NEW Precious Girls Book ~ A Little Bit Of Faith

2008-09-04T08:00:00.004-04:00

Enter to win A Little Bit Of Faith, The first book in the new Precious Girls Club Series! The Precious Girls Club is based on an all new book series for girls that revolves around the life of Katie Bennett and a diverse group of her friends. Their world is brought to life not only through books, but also through a state-of-the-art virtual world where young girls can learn and play in a safe, wholesome environment based on the values embraced by Precious Moments. On the website, PGC members create their own characters (or “avatars”), “shop” virtually, decorate their rooms, explore our town, socialize and play games. PGC games reinforce such virtues as helpfulness, kindness, responsibility, loving and caring. In addition to points, many activities award “virtual” virtue charms. And, it’s all fun!

Let me tell how excited my daughter got when we received this book in the mail box. lol She can't read yet but she LOVED it when I read it to her and the pictures had her full attention. She loves books and I can't wait to get the rest of the books for her!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and tell me what one of your favorite books was as a child. This contest will run from Thursday, September 4th, 2008 through 11:59pm EST Thursday, September 11th. You will get one (1) extra entry if you mention this contest on your blog (Be sure to let me know about your post)! In addition to the book, you will also receive one scratch-off card for a free premium "Rainbow Membership" trial on PreciousGirlsClub.com. There will be 2 winners in this contest! The winners will be picked and posted on this blog. If your profile does not include your email/blog information, please be sure to check back on our site on 09/13/08.

The winners will have 72 hours to respond.

Our New Fishy

2008-09-03T14:24:00.002-04:00

Well, it was fishes but it's now just one. Last week I decided that I would get Karyn a couple more fish. I let her pick for the most part, I just decided not another goldfish. lol So instead, she picks these. Platy's I believe they are called. We had two but one died within 48 hours. :( She named the remaining one "Froo". I have no idea where she came up with this. LOL

The Lizard Catcher...

2008-09-02T16:07:00.002-04:00

Karyn looooooves to catch all things creepy. She gets this from her father. lol Today, she caught yet another lizard. Se wants to keep them all but we've explained to her that they are meant to be outside with their friends and family.

Sorry...

2008-09-01T23:28:00.004-04:00

I would just like to apologize for a couple of posts that I made. A few people got upset with me for something I wrote. I never meant for anyone to get upset with me. I have deleted those posts.

Happy Labor Day...

2008-09-01T00:43:00.002-04:00

Want to know how dumb I am? lol I don't even know what exactly Labor Day is. I just always looked at it as a day off of work, although this year I have to work. lol

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day!

Labor Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".
Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.[1] All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.
Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.
Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
Today, Labor Day is often regarded as a day of rest and compared to the May 1 Labour Day celebrations in most countries; parades, speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, as of late, schools have begun well before Labor Day, as early as July 24th in many urban districts, including major southern cities in the United States such as Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League and NCAA College Football. The NCAA usually plays their first games the weekend of Labor day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

RIP Auntie Marilyn

2008-08-28T08:54:00.001-04:00

Marilyn Lazier
September 11, 1941 -August 28, 2008

Rest In Peace.
We Love You.

Yet Another Great Contest...

2008-08-22T12:47:00.003-04:00

Hey all here is another great contest I wanted to tell you about! Over at Simple Mom, she is giving away an awesome basket! Go HERE and check it out! You won't be sorry! :) She's giving away 7 prizes to one person! :)

Contest ~ Endless Possibilities Painting

2008-08-20T12:21:00.006-04:00

Hey everyone! Kim over at Endless Possibilities is having a contest! All you have to do is go over to her blog and leave a comment on this post. She is giving away one of her pretty, pretty paintings! You can read all the details on her blog. You really should check out her work, she does some beautiful work!

Here are couple examples of her work! Isn't it pretty!

The Crazy Beetle Bug, Work & Everything Else...

2008-08-20T00:52:00.003-04:00

This creepy beetle looking thing was the excitement of my afternoon. lol It was actually very pretty with all it's colors but I am happy to see a bug that is outside instead of inside. :)

Ahhhhh, look at my dead grass. Shows how much rain we ave been getting. How embarrassing. lol Oh well. Could be worse I guess.

What a day...We spent part of yesterday "preparing" for a hurricane that never was. I guess that's a good thing though. Last thing we need is a hurricane to blow our house away.

Work the last couple of days was insane. Everyone rushing to get last minute supplies and such. My question is, why are you rushing to get things each and every time we get threatened with a hurricane? Why not just keep an emergency kit? That's what they suggest you do anyway, but I am guilty of not doing it so I guess I shouldn't say much. lol We always end up using out battery stash on the 4 bazillion toys our daughter has and they all take different batteries!! She has one toy that comes apart and it takes 2 different kinds of batteries, what the hell is with that? lol In other interesting work news, the "Evil One" has been demoted. I should feel bad but I really don't. She brought it upon herself. There is something going down with all that but I won't say until it actually does go down.

I am STILL trying to get adjusted to this whole work thing. lol It's taking a lot out of me. I miss being home at night with my girl, even though I am home all day with her. I'm starting to feel like I am not spending time with her. Most of my morning are spend cleaning. Cleaning from the night before. I am starting to feel bad for complaining so much but it gets so frustrating. I am so glad I have tomorrow off errr I mean today.

Hide & Peek

2008-08-19T14:14:00.004-04:00

Can you see what is hiding in there?

Let me lighten it for you...

and zoom in...
Isn't that little froggy cute?

Tropical Storm Fay Update

2008-08-19T11:42:00.005-04:00

This what Tropical Storm Fay brought us. Nothing but wind. We sure could have used some rain. lol I am glad that it wasn't more severe but come on! lol It never even turned into a hurricane.

The Calm Before The Storm...TS Fay

2008-08-18T14:15:00.012-04:00

This is the calm before the storm. Nothing really exciting going. Starting to get those really low clouds and wind and rain should begin any minute now. As of right now, they (NHC) has the eye making landfall right on us as a category 1 sometime tomorrow morning. We shall see though. It's point of impact keeps changing. Technically it's still a Tropical Storm.

Reporting live From Florida, this is Niecey Nice.

Stay Tuned to Channel 3 for the latest Updates. :)

Missy Higgins Contest!! Last Day To Enter! Hurry!

2008-08-18T10:08:00.001-04:00

Today is the final day of the Missy Higgins giveaway over at Veggie Tables! The contest will be closed at 11:59 pm EST on 8/18/08. Be sure to get your entry in:

CONTEST: Missy Higgins Prize Pack

My Orchids & The Crazies...

2008-08-16T12:17:00.006-04:00

Yay! I actually went and got my hair trimmed this morning. I feel so much better now! Woohoo! AND I did it early, like 8:00am early! LOL That may not be early some but to me 8:00am on a Saturday is early to me!

After my trim, I went to Home Depot to get a mop head for our mop. I can not believe that's the only place I can find a mop head for our mop. With tropical storm Fay that may be heading towards us I figured there would be a few people at the Depot but boy I was mistaken. All the crazies were there! lol Better to be safe than sorry I guess! :) When I walked in (the garden center of course) they had a table of clearance stuff and saw this cute Winnie the Pooh flash light for only a $1.50 (reg. $5.99). After all, Karyn needs her own flash light if the lights go out! This is of course she doesn't wear the batteries out first. LOL It does have a button you can hold down to turn it on and let go to turn it off but she would rather have the switch always on! LOL

Of course as I made my way through the garden center part, I had to pick up an Orchid. Hee, hee! I love my orchids. When I got home Michael said he knew I would buy an orchid! LOL He says that's why we never go in the garden center when I am with him! LOL

Also, my other mini orchid outside bloomed, finally, after almost 4 years! Wow, that was a wait! I remember buying this orchid right after we moved in here. I could have swore that the flowers were smaller and a light pink but then gain it was a long time ago! LOL

I also took a picture of a little storm heading towards us.

After the Depot, I went to get gas and Holy Hell! lol I had to wait almost 15 minutes to get gas. Yeah, it was PACKED! People are going to start hording the gas like they do every time we "may" get a bad storm. At least it was only $3.64 a gallon. Better than almost $4.00!

What A Lovely Day...

2008-08-16T00:23:00.006-04:00

Ok, it didn't start out that way but it sure ended that way. I guess I woke up in a funk. My child was being Whiney McWhinerson when she woke up and I had the previous nights dinner dishes to do. *sigh* Oh well. I got them done.

I declared by lunch time I wasn't in the mood to make dinner. So, I called the boyfriend and told him I would order pizza for dinner so I didn't have to cook or dirty dishes. He ended up coming home a few hours early so we went to the store. That was fun! lol I bought cleaning stuff. Then we came home ordered dinner and he went to bed. LOL Yes, it was like 6:30 maybe. I was ok with it tonight because he was just getting on my nerves. I am blaming the PMS. lol

After I got Whiney McWhinerson to bed I sat in silence for about an hour, checking my email. Sitting in silence is nice for a bit then when it gets dark and you start hearing every little noise you find yourself getting a little scared. Then my one of my cats gets an interested look in his eyes and stares under the table. All I could think was "please let it be a tiny bug or something I can handle because I don't want to wake up the beast!". It's all good, it was only a piece of fuzz that was moving because of the ceiling fan. As long as it wasn't moving because it had a heart beat there was no need to worry. Yet, I couldn't sit still so I swept. Then I went to the kitchen, took out the trash, wiped all counters, gave the cats fresh water and food, gave Onyx (my leopard gecko) some fresh water, cleaned the cat box, cleaned off the computer desk and emptied my recycle box. Usually I like to sit and relax at night, check my email and maybe watch a little TV but for some reason I just had to keep moving tonight.

Now, I can't sleep. Again. It's all good because I don't have to work until 6pm tomorrow. Which I am not looking forward too. We have a Tropical Storm coming our way. Which means everyone will be shopping for supplies. Of course the storm may change it's path.

Anyway, I guess I have chatted enough. I am off to *try* to get some sleep. I plan on getting my hair cut tomorrow. I soooo need it.

Contests For August 15th, 2008

2008-08-15T11:34:00.002-04:00

Nominate Your Child as Your Hero and Win!
How is your child your hero? Here's how to tell them and the rest of the world. Nominate them for some of the good things they do...even little things like making their bed or taking out the trash or helping their brother or sister. From YummiBears.

Niecey's Notebook

I Made It 1 Week!

#393 - Things I Love... Goddess Pendant

No More Smoking...

Flea Market Finds...

Merry Christmas

Another Karyn Quote

Wowee Alive Lion Cub...

Santa's Naught List...

Turkey Hands

Bah Humbug...The Holidays

Our New Pet

Another Update...I think...

Enter This Contest Over @ Frugal Mom...

Contests!

An Update of Sorts...

One lonely Contest...

Santa is a Stalker...

New Contest Over At Veggie Tables ~ This Dish Is Vegetarian

I'm a winner...

#394 Things I Love ~ Collecting Sharks Teeth...

The Fire...

And The Winners Are....

Surprise! The Candle...

Grocery Store Etiquette

Halloween Costume

Ricky...

Enter To Win: NEW Precious Girls Book ~ A Little Bit Of Faith

Our New Fishy

The Lizard Catcher...

Sorry...

Happy Labor Day...

RIP Auntie Marilyn

Yet Another Great Contest...

Contest ~ Endless Possibilities Painting

The Crazy Beetle Bug, Work & Everything Else...

Hide & Peek

Tropical Storm Fay Update

The Calm Before The Storm...TS Fay

Missy Higgins Contest!! Last Day To Enter! Hurry!

My Orchids & The Crazies...

What A Lovely Day...

Contests For August 15th, 2008

The Cicada...

Out To The Curb...

Enter To Win A Missy Higgins Prize Pack!!

The Girl In The Window...

I Need A Routine...

A Little Funny...

Contests For August 5, 2008

Stormy Storm

He'll Never Learn...

Updates & Other Interesting (or not) Stories...

Cupcakes....

The Evil One...

Blueberry Muffins and The Mess...

Contests For July 29th, 2008

The Unwanted House Guest...

The Mole Hunter...

My Child Is Never Leaving The House Again...

When Simple Math Becomes An Issue...

Contests For July 24, 2008

Pretty Butterfly...

Contests For July 21st, 2008

Veggie Tables - This Dish Is Vegetarian

What School Do You Go To?

Advtures of a little ole' Cashier...

Serious Issue....

Contest For July 17th, 2008

R.I.P. Wesley Thomas...

Do Not Enter!

Another Sweepstakes Prize...

Big Brother 10!

Contests for July 13th, 2008

My First Official Day of Work...

More Critters!

Contests for July 11th, 2008

Desperate Times, Call for Desperate Measures...

Getting Back Into The Swing of Things...

Contests for July 6th, 2008